Lesson 6 of 10
Helps or harms?
Show on a big screenSome microbes make curd. Others spoil a meal.
Step 1 of 3
- Microbes can help us or harm us.
- They help: curd, dough, compost and bean roots.
- They harm: spoiled food, mouldy grain and sick crops.
The rule
A harmful microbe spoils our food or makes us ill.
Many microbes help us. Some harm us or our food. Judge a microbe by what it does for us where it is.
| Where | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Food | It spoils |
| Stored grain | Damp grain goes mouldy |
| Crops | Many fungi harm crops, especially in damp weather |
| Animals and people | Some microbes cause disease |
Moulds grow faster in damp places. So damp grain becomes mouldy.
Some microbes cause disease, or illness. For a real illness, ask a doctor.
Drag each case to helps or harms.
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Try the lab to finish this lesson.